BOSTON — Braves quotes from Williams Perez, Kelly Johnson, Andrelton Simmons, Jonny Gomes and Fredi Gonzalez after Monday’s win against the Red Sox.
**KELLY JOHNSON
On performance of Perez, two days after getting a save
“I love Williams, man. How cool was that? To get a save two days ago and then come back and pitch like that and get a win. I don’t think there was any doubt in anybody’s mind that that was going to happen. It’s just one of those things, it seemed like it was meant to be. But I love how fast he gets the ball and works. Throws strikes, seems like he knows what he wants to throw. Conviction. It’s awesome. I love seeing him out there.”
On road ballparks not affecting Perez
“That’s what I’m saying. That’s what there is to love about him. I think he’s got his gameplan, he knows what he wants to do, he’s confident, and he’s locked in. I don’t think he gives a rip where he is.”
Doesn’t seem affected by runners on base, that kind of thing either
“Yeah. Picked a guy off at first today. He’s been huge for us.”
On getting a needed win
“This last game in New York was tough, so good to come in here and get on top early. That’s important.”
**WILLIAMS PEREZ (via translator Eddie Perez, bullpen coach)
Were you tired at all after getting the save two nights ago?
“It didn’t bother me, because I didn’t make too many pitches the other day and I didn’t make too many today. I felt OK.”
Didn’t seem as if Fenway Park bothered you at all, the noise or environment
“I didn’t hear anything. I was just concentrating on the game.”
Cool, wet weather have any affect?
“A little bit, just because the mound was wet. But I didn’t feel anything.”
On getting locked in, whether two runners on, or loud road stadium, etc
“I concentrate a lot in those situations and make those pitches so I can get those outs.”
On picking off Betts at first base
“I felt relieved after I got him out, because it was a big situation and I knew that he was stealing.”
**ANDRELTON SIMMONS
On his right hand after getting hit by pitch
“It hurts, but it didn’t break anything, so that’s good.”
Just some swelling then?
“Yeah, it’s swollen. Makes it a little hard to grab. Hopefully tomorrow after icing it, it’s good to go.”
Was the errant throw kind of a combination of factors, the wet grass and the hand?
“Yeah, a little bit of both. And I had more time than I thought. My head was down, so after I set my feet I didn’t know how much time I had, so I just tried to keep it down. Kept it down a little too much.”
X-rays on the hand were good?
“We’re good.”
On Williams Perez
“He pitched great. Relief came in and did OK. Good team win. Manufactured some runs, got some big hits. It’s good to go home with a win.”
You know you’re going to get a lot of ground balls with Perez on the mound?
“Now I do. It’s fun. Most of them, actually all of them, were easy, routine plays. So that was good.”
**JONNY GOMES
On laying out to make his spectacular catch in the fourth inning
“Yeah, that’s how you’ve got to play that outfield. Extremely risky. On that play right there, you dive for it, the best-case scenario you get the out. The worst-case scenario, you’ve got the wall right there, so it’s going to be a double. Or you just take the angle and give the double. So, it worked out.”
On Jace Peterson being so excited to play his first game at Fenway, getting a big hit
“If he keeps it up, I’m sure he’s going to play in all 30. But it’s good to see these young kids have some respect for the history of the game. It’s nice to see.”
How much do you guys like playing behind Williams Perez
“Yeah, he’s a guy who pounds the zone, works fast. He’s got that sneaky 88-92 heater, and that change-up is a game-changer for him. The guy pounds strikes. He got in trouble with the two walks, but he’s a strike thrower, works fast.”
On the video tribute to him on board, and crowd reaction
“I’ve been in a couple of organizations, and I always though that was cool, when an opposing player comes back and you get the standing ovation. It’s pretty cool, and obviously these are pretty knowledgeable fans and they appreciate the way you play the game.”
**FREDI GONZALEZ
On Williams Perez
“He pitched better than what we expected, after pitching in that save situation Saturday. Coming in short (rest) there, and short tonight. Pitching in Fenway against an American League team – I couldn’t ask for anything more. He exceeded expectations. But you run him out there in different situations and he always rises to the occasion. He really does. Because he’s got pitchability. And we needed that one — the innings he gave us and then we held on.”
On Gomes and Pierzynski being so familiar with Fenway Park
“Both of those guys, and Markakis – I think he’s played 81 games here. Those guys have always talked very highly of this place. Jonny Gomes and A.J., they love playing here, they love the atmosphere, and I tell you what, Jonny Gomes has been pumped up the whole year, since spring training started, to play these two games. There was no way in hell he was going to let me not play him in these two games. So he goes out and makes a tremendous catch in left field.”
Were you concerned that Andrelton might not be able to continue playing after he got hit?
“I was, and I still am concerned. Moreso grabbing the bat than throwing, but we’ll get him some treatment and see about tomorrow.”
Did he have to talk himself into staying in the game?
“No, Bubba (head trainer Jeff Porter) said he felt like we dodged a bullet, because it hit between the fingers, on the fatty part, because you could see the laces right there. But anyway, Bubba will figure out if he needs X-rays or not, or just treatment, and we’ll go from there.”
